Scandinavia: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Scandinavia

The Scandinavia lamb and sheep meat market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Scandinavia

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Norway (X tons) remains the largest lamb and sheep meat producing country in Scandinavia, comprising approx. 59% of total volume. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat production in Norway exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iceland (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Sweden (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Norway was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iceland (-0.6% per year) and Sweden (+0.3% per year).

The average lamb and sheep meat yield expanded slightly to X kg per head in 2021, increasing by 2.6% compared with the year before. In general, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the yield reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Scandinavia contracted modestly to X heads, reducing by -2.8% against 2020. Overall, the number of producing animals continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the number of producing animals increased by 5.2% against the previous year. As a result, the amount of producing animals reached the peak level of X heads. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of this number failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in Scandinavia

In 2021, shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Iceland dominates exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 87% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Denmark (X tons), making up an 8.7% share of total exports. Sweden (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

Iceland was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lamb and sheep meat exports, with a CAGR of +2.0% from 2012 to 2021. Sweden (-2.5%) and Denmark (-12.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Iceland increased by +18 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Iceland ($X) remains the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier in Scandinavia, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Denmark ($X), with a 12% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Iceland totaled +5.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Denmark (-10.8% per year) and Sweden (-0.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Scandinavia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($X per ton), while Iceland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iceland (+3.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in Scandinavia

In 2021, the amount of lamb and sheep meat imported in Scandinavia reduced to X tons, dropping by -2.2% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports saw a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 7.2%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a slight descent. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Sweden was the key importer of lamb and sheep meat in Scandinavia, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 61% of total imports in 2021. Denmark (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 24% share, followed by Finland (9%) and Norway (6.1%).

Sweden experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of lamb and sheep meat. Denmark (-2.2%), Finland (-6.0%) and Norway (-11.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Sweden (+14 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Finland and Norway saw its share reduced by -3.9% and -9.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Sweden ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lamb and sheep meat in Scandinavia, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Denmark ($X), with a 26% share of total imports. It was followed by Finland, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Sweden totaled +2.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Denmark (-1.3% per year) and Finland (-7.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Scandinavia amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 9.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Finland ($X per ton) and Denmark ($X per ton), while Norway ($X per ton) and Sweden ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sweden (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform